Hanger for window sash balance



1966 H. K. LUNDGREN HANGER FOR WINDOW SASH BALANCE Filed Oct. 22, 1965ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,293,686 HANGER FOR WINDOW SASl-IBALANCE Herbert K. Lundgren, 815 N. Washburn St., Oshkosh, Wis. 53212Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,075 2 Claims. (Cl. 16197) The presentinvention relates generally to window constructions and is moreparticularly directed to window sash mountings wherein coil springs areused as the sash balancing means. This application is a continuation inpart of my co-pending application Serial No. 353,801, filed March 23,1964, and now US. Patent No. 3,233,278.

There are presently available a wide variety of window sash assemblieswhich utilize a preformed sash guide and weather-stripping assembly andwherein the counter-balance provided for the window sashes is in theform of an elongated coil spring which is fixed at the upper each of thesash guide and extends downwardly through a channel or housing formed insuch guide for attachment through a suitable hanger with the lowerportion of the window sash. In order to facilitate assembly of thewindow sash unit and also, to make it easy to tilt the individual windowsash inwardly for cleaning or repair, the preformed sash guides arespring biased to permit some lateral movement of the guide and therebyprovide for inward tilting of the window sash. In such an arrangement,it is desirable to have the hanger at the lower end of the balancespring remain fixed in position within the spring housing when thewindow sash is tilted inwardly, and the present invention isparticularly directed to an improved form of hanger element whichcooperates with the guide and sash so as to lock itself into positionand remain in place within the guide when the sash is tilted.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a newand improved form of window sash hanger which is retained in fixedposition within the sash guide when the window sash is tilted orremoved. A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofa guide block and hanger locking means which are economical to constructand easily assembled. Other objects and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of the selected embodiment of the inventionillustrated in the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a window sash assembly,illustrating one side thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG- URE 1, with partsomitted or broken away in order to more clearly illustrate the sashguide and hanger construction;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the guide block portion of the hangerlock assembly;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the guide block in FIG- URE 5, prior toassembly;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the locking element seen particularlyin FIGURES 24; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the hanger lockassembly.

As illustrated particularly in FIGURES 1 and 2, the selected embodimentof the invention comprises a double hung window sash unit 10 havingupper and lower sashes 12 and 14, respectively, fitted within the usualframe structure including a pair of vertical wooden frame members and anupper and lower sill member defining the opening for the window unit.Since the frame construction comprises no part of the present invention,it is believed that a complete showing of the frame and the double hungwindow unit is unnecessary and, therefore, FIGURE 1 lncludes only one ofthe side frame members 16 and the usual trim or stop members 18 and 20at the inside and outside of the window, respectively, defining thechannel for receiving the window sash assembly. Within the window framechannel thus defined at each of the opposite sides of the windowopening, there is provided a pair of window sash guide strips 22 and 24which are preformed, preferably of metal, but which may also be plasticor the like. Each of these guide strips include an outer edge portion(22a and 24a) for engagement with the respective stop members on thewooden frame and an inner edge portion (22b and 24b) in abutment witheach other, with both the inner and outer edges of the sash guidesproviding for relative sliding movement of each guide laterally of thewindow frame.

The intermediate portion of each window sash guide strip is formed toprovide a channel or housing 26 extending the entire length of thestrip. The sash edge-engaging portion of each strip is preferablygenerally flat but includes a pair of inwardly projecting, spaced-apartmarginal edge portions 28- generally centrally of the guide strip. Suchedge portions define an elongated slot 30 in the sash guide so as topermit vertical sliding movement of a hanger-engaging strip or bar 32which is fixed to each sash adjacent its lower end portion and whichprojects inwardly into the counter balance spring housing portionthrough the slot 30. The spring housing portion of the guide strip ispreferably rectangular in order to facilitate manufacture and also so asto fixedly receive two or more leaf springs 34 which provide for biasingthe sash guide into pressing engagement with the edge of the windowsash. In the illustrated embodiment, each of these springs comprises agenerally channel-shaped portion 36 engaging the back of the balancespring housing, and a bowed or curved, resilient part 38 adapted to bedisposed between the side frame member 16 and the window sash guide. Thesprings 34 are fixed in position along the length of the window sashguide by suitable fastening means, such as a screw 40 which also extendsthrough the sash guide and maintains the latter in position. It is to benoted that the screw 40 is disposed so as to place the sash guide 22, 24a suitable distance outwardly from the frame 16 to properly tension theleaf spring and to permit inward movement of the sash guide toward thevertical frame member. The sash includes the usual longitudinallygrooved portion 42 extending along its opposite edges for cooperationwith the projecting marginal portions on the sash guide to maintain thewindow sash in position while permitting relative sliding movementbetween the window sash and the guide.

The counter balance mechanism for each window sash comprises anelongated coil spring 44 which is suitable fastened adjacent its upperend to the upper end of the respective window sash guide. Thisconnection may be made by a suitable fastening means or it may simplyconsist in placement of the upper coil of the spring over the upper edgeof the housing portion of the sash guide strip. It is to be noted thatthe balance spring 44 is positioned off-center with respect to thehanger opening 30 and, consequently, the spring is concealed from view.

The lower end coil 46 of the counter balance spring 44 is twisted into agenerally vertical plane so as to receive and support the novel hangerassembly 48 seen particularly in FIGURES 24.

The hanger assembly comprises a guide block 50' (FIG- URE 5) which isformed of a suitable plastic, such as nylon, and may be molded orextruded. A-s originally formed, the hanger block 50 is essentially fiat(FIGURE 6) with narrow transverse portions 52, 54 at the center thereofbeing beveled or tapered to provide a relatively thin, transverse hingeline 56 permitting folding of the two sections or halves to form theblock as seen in FIG- URE 5. The two halves of the guide block formingmember are substantially of equal thickness except for the taperedportions 52, 54 mentioned previously and except for a rectangularportion 58 on one half which is substantially thicker so as to provide aportion of the block which when asembled will correspond generally withthe width of the channel 26 of the sash guide and have a sliding fittherewith. This thicker portion 58 of the guide block has a transversebore or recess 60 partially therethrough which is alignable with acomplementary stud or pin 62 formed or molded in the other half of theblock. The stud 62 and and recess 60 are so formed that when the twohalves of block 50 are folded together along line 56 there is a snap fitbetween the two so as to maintain the block in its folded condition(FIGURE Further, stud 62 is slightly longer than recess 69 so as toprovide suitable clearance between the block halves for free movement ofthe locking element 66. The half of the block 50 which includes thethicker section 58 also has formed therein an arcuate guideway or slot72 to control the path of movement of the metal locking element 66.

The metal locking element 66, as seen particularly in FIGURE 7, is arelatively thin metal piece suitably formed to provide an arcuate shapedflange portion 74, a generally fiat portion 76 having a sharp edge atone end and an opening 80 spaced from the edge 78 to receive the lowercoil 46 of the sash balance spring 44. The portion of the lockingelement 66 opposite the arcuate flange 74 and sharpened edge portion 78is formed to provide a projection or lever 82 which is at leastpartially disposed through a pair of aligned transverse notches 84 inthe block 50 when the hanger lock is assembled. The metal lockingelement 66 also includes an elongated slot 86 through which thetransverse stud 62 extends. Thus, when the hanger lock assembly iscomplete the metal locking element 66 is movable relative to the guideblock 50 through a general path defined by the arcuate slide 72 in theblock which receives the arcuate flange portion 74.

The hanger lock assembly 48 is positioned within the guideway 26 in themetal sash guide, and the lower coil 46 of the balance spring 44 issecured to the metal lock element 66 through the opening 80 therein.Each window sash 12, 14 is provided with the narrow metal strip 32 whichprojects from the edge of the wooden sash into the guideway andtransversely of the notches 84 in the guide block 50 in position forsupport by the lever portion 82 of the metal locking element 66 (FIG-URE 4). When the weight of the window is thus placed on the lever 82 themetal locking element 66 is moved to a position retracting the sharpenededge portion 78 inwardly and away from the side of the channel 26. Whenthe window sash is tilted to a generally horizontal position movingstrips 32 out of supported engagement with levers '82 (FIGURE 3), thetension of the balance spring 44 moves the metal lock element upwardlyin an arc, sliding flange 74 in arcuate groove 72, and into engagementwith the side of the channel 26. The sharpened edge portion 78 bitesinto the channel and thereby holds the hanger lock assembly in position,so that the window can be free of the tension of the balance springs andeasily handled for cleaning etc. and then be replaced in the sash guidesat the same position it formerly occupied.

A modified form of hanger lock assembly 96 is seen in FIGURE 8. In thisembodiment, the edge of the metal locking element 92 is toothed toprovide a more positive engagement with the wall of the sash guide.Furthermore, the guide block 94 is formed as a mirror image of thepreviously described guide block 50. In all other respects, includingthe transverse stud 96 and the arcuate slot 98, the hanger assembly 90is similar to that previously described with respect to hanger 48.

Although shown and described with respect to particular structure, itwill be apparent that various modifications might be made withoutdeparting from the principles of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hanger for use in a window sash assembly for interconnecting asupported sash and a supporting sash balancing means which is disposedwithin a housing formed by a sash guide unit, said sash including hangerengaging means projecting from opposite side edges thereof, said hangercomprising a part adapted to be slidably received within the housing inthe sash guide for vertical movement relative thereto, said part beingformed from an elongated plastic element which is folded across itsmidsection to provide a pair of generally similar, spacedapart facingwall portions having a narrow opening therebetween along two side edgesand the top, said wall portions being formed to provide a notch thereintransversely of the walls and extending from an intermediate portion ofthe walls to the upper edges thereof, one of said wall portionsincluding an arcuate groove formed in its inner surface, a lockingelement supported intermediate its ends on said hanger part of guidedsliding movement between said walls by means including an arcuate flangeon said element which is seated in said arcuate groove, said arcuateflange and said arcuate groove extending in a vertical direction towardthe back of sash balance housing, said locking element also including anelongated slot which extends in a vertical direction toward the back ofsaid sash balance housing, said locking element including adjacent oneend means for connection with the sash balancing means and pointedsection for penetrating engagement with the wall of the housing for thesash balancing means, and said locking element also including adjacentits other end means accessible through said transverse notch andproviding supporting engagement by said hanger engaging means on thewindow sash, said sash balance connection means, pointed section andsash support means of said locking element being arranged so that when asash is supported by said hanger said pointed section is drawn out ofengagement with the balance housing wall, and when the weight of thesash is removed from the hanger said pointed section is caused to moveinto engagement with the housing by the tension of the sash balancingmeans, the relative movement of said locking element being guided bysaid arcuate groove.

2. A hanger for use in a window sash assembly for interconnecting asupported sash and a supporting sash balancing means which is disposedwithin a housing formed by a sash guide unit, said sash including hangerengaging means projecting from opposite side edges thereof, said hangercomprising a part adapted to be slidably received within the housing inthe sash guide for vertical movement relative thereto, said part beingformed from an elongated plastic element which is folded across itsmidsection along a line of reduced thickness to provide a pair ofgenerally similar, spaced-apart facing wall portions having a narrowopening along two side edges and the top, cooperating means on saidfacing wall portions providing means for releasably securing saidportions in their folded positions with a space between said wallportions, said wall portions being formed to provide a notch thereintransversely of the walls and extending from an intermediate portion ofthe walls to the unpper edge thereof, a locking element supportedintermediate its ends on said hanger part by means including an arcuateflange on said element disposed in sliding engagement with an arcuategroove in one wall portion so as to provide guided movement of saidelement between said Walls, said arcuate flange and said arcuate grooveextending in a vertical direction toward the back of said sash balancehousing, said locking element also including an elongated slot whichextends in a vertical direction toward the back of said sash balancehousing, said locking element including adjacent one end means forconnection with the sash balancing means and a pointed section forpenetrating engagement with the wall of the housing for the sashbalancing means, and said locking element also including adjacent itsother end means accessible through said transverse notch and providingsupporting engagement with said hanger engaging means on the windowsash, said sash balance connection means, pointed section and sashsupport means of said locking element being arranged so that when a sashis supported by said hanger said pointed section is drawn out ofengagement with the balance housing Wall, and when the Weight ofReferences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1964 Osten.2/1966 Lundgren 16-197 10 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

I. H. MCGLYNN, Assistant Examiner.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,293,686 December 27, 1966 Herbert K, Lundgren It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction andthat the said Letters Patent 'should read as corrected below Column 4,line 23, for "of" read for line 27, before "sash" insert said line 32,for "and pointed" read and a pointed line 65, for "unpper" read upperSigned and sealed this 12th day of September 1967.

( L) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A HANGER FOR USE IN A WINDOW SASH ASSEMBLY FOR INTERCONNECTING ASUPPORTED SASH AND A SUPPORTING SASH BALANCING MEANS WHICH IS DISPOSEDWITHIN A HOUSING FORMED BY A SASH GUIDE UNIT, SAID SASH INCLUDING HANGERENGAGING MEANS PROJECTING FROM OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES THEREOF, SAID HANGERCOMPRISING A PART BEING FORMED FROM RECEIVED WITHIN THE HOUSING IN THESASH GUIDE FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, SAID PART BEINGFORMED FROM AN ELONGATED PLASTIC ELECTRIC WHICH IS FOLDED ACROSS ITSMIDSECTION TO PROVIDE A PAIR OF GENERALLY SIMILAR, SPACEDAPART FACINGWALL PORTIONS HAVING A NARROW OPENING THEREBETWEEN ALONG TWO SIDE EDGESAND THE TOP, SAID WALL PORTIONS BEING FORMED TO PROVIDE A NOTCH THEREINTRANSVERSELY OF THE WALLS AND EXTENDING FROM AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OFTHE WALLS TO THE UPPER EDGES THEREOF, ONE OF SAID WALL PORTIONSINCLUDING AN ARCUATE GROOVE FORMED IN ITS INNER SURFACE, A LOCKINGELEMENT SUPPORTED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS ON SAID HANGER PART OF GUIDEDSLIDING MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID WALLS BY MEANS INCLUDING AN ARCUATE FLANGEON SAID ELEMENT WHICH IS SEATED IN SAID ARCUATE GROOVE, SAID ARCUATEFLANGE AND SAID ARCUATE GROOVE EXTENDING IN A VERTICAL DIRECTION TOWARDTHE BACK OF SASH BALANCE HOUSING, SAID LOCKING ELEMENT ALSO INCLUDING ANELONGATED SLOT WHICH EXTENDS IN A VERTICAL DIRECTION TOWARD THE BACK OFSAID SASH BALANCE HOUSING, SAID LOCKING ELEMENT INCLUDING ADJACENT ONEEND MEANS FOR CONNECTING WITH THE SASH BALANCING MEANS AND POINTEDSECTION FOR PENETRATING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WALL OF THE HOUSING FOR THESASH BALANCING MEANS, AND SAID LOCKING ELEMENT ALSO INCLUDING ADJACENTITS OTHER END MEANS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH SAID TRANSVERSE NOTCH ANDPROVIDING SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT BY SAID HANGER ENGAGING MEANS ON THEWINDOW SASH, SAID SASH SUPPORT MEANS OF SAID LOCKING ELEMENT BEING TIONAND SASH SUPPORTING MEANS OF SAID LOCKING ELEMENT WITH ARRANGED SO THATWHEN A SASH IS SUPPORTED BY SAID HANGER SAID POINTED SECTION IS DRAWNOUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BALANCE HOUSING WALL, AND WHEN THE WEIGHT OFTHE SASH IS REMOVED FROM THE HANGER SAID POINTED SECTION IS CAUSED TOMOVE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE HOUSING BY THE TENSION OF THE SASHBALANCING MEANS, THE RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID LOKCING ELEMENT BEINGGUIDED BY SAID ARCUATE GROOVE.